Agriculture & Forestry, Vol. 66 Issue 2: 57-66, 2020, Podgorica 57 Sudarić, T., Samardžija, L., Lončarić, R. (2020): Viticulture and wine as export potential of Croatia. Agriculture and Forestry, 66 (2): 57-66. DOI: 10.17707/AgricultForest.66.2.06 Tihana SUDARIĆ 1 , Luka SAMARDŽIJA 2 , Ružica LONČARIĆ 1 VITICULTURE AND WINE AS EXPORT POTENTIAL OF CROATIA SUMMARY This paper analyzes export potential of viticulture and winemaking in Republic of Croatia. Based on quantitative research methods applied by using Relative Trade Advantages (RTA) index, Export Competitiveness Index (XC), Comparative Advantage Index (RCA) and Relative Trade Advantage Index (RTA) in relation to EU countries. The 2015.-2016. study provided by the National Bureau of Statistics. The research results show negative macroeconomic indicators related to the potential of wine exports and lack of comparative advantage (0.25020853), negative trend of export competitiveness (0.753189), lack of export specialization (0.103778589) as well as negative trade advantage (-2.0). Keywords: viticulture, winemaking, exports, imports, index. INTRODUCTION Viticulture and winemaking of the Republic of Croatia can be presented as strategic activities of particular importance, because where the grapevine grows, it means a great deal of life and labor-intensive employment for the population (Milat, 2005). According to the data of the Croatian Chamber of Economy (2016), department responsible for agriculture, fisheries, forestry, wood and food industry in Republic of Croatia 1.5 million hectares of utilized agricultural land 54% refers to arable land and gardens, 5% refers to orchards, vineyards and olive groves and 41% on permanent lawns. The importance of the food processing industry in relation to the total manufacturing industry is reflected in the fact that about a quarter of the indicator value relates to the food processing industry namely: number of persons employed (24%), turnover (32%), added value (26%) and gross surplus (30%). Food processing companies hold 16% share in the total 1 Tihana Sudarić (corresponding author: tihana.sudaric@fazos.hr), Ružica Lončarić University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Department of Bioeconomics and Rural Development, Vladimira Preloga 1., Osijek, Republic of CROATIA. 2 Luka Samardžija, University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, PhD student, study program Agroeconomics, Vladimira Preloga 1., Osijek, Republic of CROATIA. Paper presented at the GEA (Geo Eco-Eco Agro) International Conference 2020, Podgorica. Notes: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Authorship Form signed online. Received:07/04/2020 Accepted:20/05/2020